The United States has lifted its suspension on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, while Kyiv has indicated its willingness to consider a 30-day ceasefire in its ongoing war with Russia, provided Moscow agrees, officials from both nations said Tuesday after discussions in Saudi Arabia.
The decision marks a reversal by the Trump administration, which had halted assistance last week, reportedly to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into negotiations with Russia. The suspension followed a contentious meeting between Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump at the White House.
Leading the U.S. delegation at the Jeddah talks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington would present the ceasefire proposal to the Kremlin, which has so far rejected anything less than a full settlement on its terms.
“We’re putting the offer on the table: Ukraine is ready to pause hostilities and start negotiations. Now, it’s up to Russia to decide,” Rubio said. “If they refuse, the obstacle to peace will be clear.”
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added, “The Ukrainian delegation made it clear today that they share President Trump’s vision for peace.”
The discussions, spanning nearly eight hours, appeared to ease tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy, which had flared during last month’s Oval Office meeting. Waltz noted that both sides delved into substantive topics, including long-term security guarantees. He also confirmed Trump’s decision to restore billions of dollars in U.S. military assistance and intelligence cooperation.
Seeking a Deal with Russia
Trump expressed optimism that a peace agreement could be reached in the coming days.
“I’ve been saying that Russia has been easier to deal with than Ukraine, which is surprising,” Trump remarked Tuesday. “But now we have Ukraine offering a full ceasefire. That’s progress.”
The Kremlin has yet to comment on the developments, but Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mentioned that talks with U.S. officials could take place later this week.
A U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to visit Moscow soon and may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the schedule remains subject to change, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, discussions in Saudi Arabia took place just hours after Russia intercepted over 300 Ukrainian drones in what was described as Kyiv’s most extensive aerial attack since the war began. Neither U.S. nor Ukrainian officials addressed the incident publicly. Simultaneously, Russia launched 126 drones and a ballistic missile targeting Ukraine, part of its sustained assault on civilian areas.
Ukraine Emphasizes Commitment to Peace
Following Tuesday’s talks, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s long-standing pursuit of a durable peace.
“From the very first moment of this war, Ukraine has sought peace. We are committed to achieving it as swiftly as possible, ensuring that war does not return,” he stated.
Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak described the negotiations as positive, noting that both nations “share a common vision and are moving toward a just and lasting peace.”
Public sentiment in Ukraine remains cautious. Lena Herasymenko, a psychologist in Kyiv, acknowledged that compromises might be necessary but insisted they must be “reasonable.”
“We have suffered massive losses, and we don’t yet know how much more we will endure,” she told The Associated Press. “Our children are suffering, and the long-term impact on future generations is uncertain.”
A Ukrainian soldier, identifying himself only as Oleksandr due to security concerns, warned against complacency.
“A ceasefire would only give Russia time to rebuild its firepower, manpower, and missile stockpiles before striking again,” he cautioned.
Russian Hardliners Oppose Truce
In Moscow, nationalist politicians and pro-military commentators strongly criticized the potential ceasefire, arguing that it would benefit Ukraine while undermining Russia’s strategic advantage.
“A ceasefire is the last thing we need,” wrote hardline ideologue Alexander Dugin.
Retired general and parliament member Viktor Sobolev argued that a 30-day truce would enable Ukraine to strengthen its defenses and resupply its forces, making future Russian advances more difficult. Political analyst Sergei Markov suggested that Russia could demand a halt to Western arms shipments to Ukraine as a condition for any ceasefire agreement.
Kremlin Maintains Stance on Peace Talks
Russia has not signaled any willingness to make concessions. President Putin has consistently stated that Moscow seeks a comprehensive settlement rather than a temporary halt in hostilities.
The Kremlin’s conditions for peace include Ukraine abandoning its NATO membership aspirations and formally recognizing Russian control over occupied territories, which now account for nearly 20% of Ukraine’s land.
Despite suffering heavy battlefield losses, Russian forces have maintained the upper hand for over a year, advancing in key regions, particularly in eastern Donetsk. Meanwhile, Ukraine has ramped up its domestic arms production, including high-tech drones capable of striking deep into Russian territory.